Progressing dementia risk reduction initiatives for culturally and linguistically diverse older adults in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: Dementia is a global public health concern, with approximately 487,500 Australians living with this condition. As an incurable disease, collaborative public health approaches are at the forefront for risk reduction of dementia.In Australia, nearly one in three individuals older than 65 years belong to culturally and linguistically diverse populations (CALD), yet dementia prevention approaches within CALD communities remain limited. Current health services and education require a targeted multidimensional and multicultural approach for dementia prevention interventions.Methods: Recent recognition of gaps in CALD dementia awareness and accessibility has instigated a range of initiatives that address language disparities and dementia literacy within Australia's older population. While these have created pockets of dementia awareness and health promotion, a 'whole of community' and government approach is needed to decrease the recognised modifiable risk factors of dementia.Results: This work serves to identify effective methods to promote dementia risk factor reduction using behaviour change techniques through five key recommendations specific for CALD communities. These suggestions are covered by the need for federal funds to be allocated to specific culturally inclusive initiatives highlighted under primary care, public health, research and community sectors.Conclusions: Key recommendations are created to address language disparities and dementia literacy in Australia's older population to aid healthy brain ageing for CALD older adults.

Assessing the impact of an online dementia awareness initiative co‐created with and for English, Arabic and Vietnamese speaking communities: A case study

“…Ongoing dementia education and awareness campaigns are needed in communities to overcome misperceptions and promote help-seeking. 22 These recommendations extend beyond the CALD populations in Australia, given the overlapping information needs faced by immigrant or refugee populations in other parts of the world. 11,13,27,38,44 Group discussions emphasised the importance of learning about and delivering appropriate care to people with dementia.…”

“…These (and perhaps other assumptions) can hinder access to information and support. 12,[19][20][21][22][23][24] Using bilingual workers and/or community leaders promotes the delivery of information in culturally appropriate and impactful ways, particularly when translating dementia into other languages. 25 Clear and effective communication is key given that terms surrounding dementia can be stigmatising in other languages.…”

To be or not to be: Arts‐based approaches in public health messaging for dementia awareness and prevention

“…Coupled with the fact that multidomain lifestyle interventions (focusing on a mix of diet, education, cognitive and physical activity) are currently developed and applicable to Western, English‐speaking individuals, these remain non‐generalisable to all as these factors vary across cultures and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the limited access to dementia care, due to no proactive methods being used to reach CALD communities, prevents caregivers from utilising dementia services and making informed choices 13 …”

“…Furthermore, the limited access to dementia care, due to no proactive methods being used to reach CALD communities, prevents caregivers from utilising dementia services and making informed choices. 13 Given these problems with the implementation and utilisation of preventative strategies, public health campaigns for dementia will benefit from more creative methods. Indeed, whilst it is impossible to ensure uptake for all communities, what we can do now is to develop more appropriate and translatable modes of health information communication to address language, access and literacy limitations.…”

Measuring engagement among older adults using a multidimensional approach to communication

“…The paper’s emphasis on analysis, analytics, and multidimensional methods is to suit dynamic (changing) and multifaceted conditions within an individual, across time, and across individuals. This is important with such individualization in people being expressed in cognition, memory and function ( De Brigard et al, 2022 ) and with natural differences that arise from culturally and linguistically diverse people ( Patel et al, 2022 ). The proposed multidimensional approach is important as will be able to determine the impact of interventions on older adults where there are idiosyncratic characteristics of engagement.…”